Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2017 Subaru Outback. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Air Bag Control Module Incompatible With Air Bag
- Summary
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting air bag deployment.
- Consequence
- In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUX-09.
Improperly Aligned Knee Guard Bracket
- Summary
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured September 21, 2016, to September 23, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the knee guard bracket may not be properly attached to the steering beam assembly.
- Consequence
- If the knee guard is not properly attached and the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, the knee guard may not be able to properly restrain the driver's lower body in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the knee guard welding on each vehicle's steering beam, replacing the beam as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTL-72.
Loose Bolts may affect Braking and Handling
- Summary
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Outback vehicles manufactured June 20, 2016, to June 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may have improperly tightened attaching bolts for the front left and right brake calipers, wheel hubs, and the right stabilizer clamp.
- Consequence
- If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable and reducing the braking capability. These conditions would increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts for proper torque, and replace any loose bolts, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTE-66.
Loss of Steering Ability
- Summary
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.
- Consequence
- The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (917)
917 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 917 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 391 | 42.6% |
| Visibility/wiper | 205 | 22.4% |
| Unknown or other | 177 | 19.3% |
| Power train | 47 | 5.1% |
| Engine | 43 | 4.7% |
| Visibility | 30 | 3.3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 28 | 3.1% |
| Structure | 26 | 2.8% |
| Service brakes | 24 | 2.6% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 23 | 2.5% |
How 2017 compares with other Outback years
Best and worst Outback years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 297 | 12 |
| 2014 | 208 | 10 |
| 2015 | 510 | 5 |
| 2016 | 643 | 4 |
| 2017 | 917 | 4 |
| 2018 | 813 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1,035 | 3 |
| 2020 | 899 | 6 |
| 2021 | 296 | 4 |
| 2022 | 464 | 4 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2017 Subaru Outback sw awd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 28 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,400
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 319 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 28 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 32 / 28 | $2,400 | 319 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · AV-S6 CVT | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 22 | $3,050 | 398 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2017 Outback for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2017 Subaru Outback FAQ
How many recalls does the 2017 Subaru Outback have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 19V910000 (air bag), 16V716000 (air bag), 16V576000 (brake), 16V292000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2017 Subaru Outback problems?
Owners filed 917 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (391), Visibility/wiper (205), Unknown or other (177) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2017 Subaru Outback get?
EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT version at 25 city, 32 highway and 28 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2017 Subaru Outback get?
NHTSA rated the 2017 Subaru Outback sw awd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (17.5% rollover risk).
How does the 2017 Outback compare with other years?
Among the 2013–2021 Subaru Outback model years at least five years old, the 2014 drew the fewest complaints (208) and the 2019 the most (1,035). The 2017 drew 917. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Summary reviewed on Oct 6, 2026.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.